The Games Continue in US Senate over Southwick Nomination

ACLJ Calls for Up or Down Vote on Judge's Nomination to Federal Appeals Court

WASHINGTON, July 26, 2007—"It's time to stop playing politics with this nomination."
-Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel, ACLJ

Today, the country's leading conservative public-interest law firm called on the U.S. Senate to stop showboating with federal appeals court nominee Judge Leslie H. Southwick and confirm his nomination. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) is urging the Senate to vote on President Bush's nominee for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Southwick's nomination has been the target of obstructionists who are seeing to derail the nomination through delay tactics.

"Once again, the decision to politicize a federal appeals court nominee is taking precedence over filling a very crucial seat on one of the nation's most important appeals courts," said Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ. "Judge Southwick has had a distinguished legal and military career. A long-time member of the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Judge Southwick put his own career aside and took a military leave of absence to serve our nation in Iraq. The American Bar Association has rated Judge Southwick 'well qualified'-the ABA's highest ranking. It's time to stop playing politics with this nomination. Judge Southwick is an extremely well qualified nominee with extensive legal experience who will not legislate from the bench and is dedicated to upholding the rule of law. Judge Southwick should be confirmed without delay."

Under the direction of Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice has been working to ensure that judicial nominees receive fair treatment during the confirmation process and are afforded up or down votes in the U.S. Senate.

The ACLJ specializes in constitutional law and, through its global affiliates, works to protect religious freedom and liberty in more than 36 countries worldwide. The ACLJ is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and is online at www.aclj.org.
 

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